IS the Scripture the Light, or a Declaration of it?

Supposing that by Scripture you understand the written Word of God contained in the Books of Moses, the Prophets, Apostles, and Holy men of God, who were the Pen-men thereof, and gave it forth by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. 3.16. and 2 Pet. 1.21. And that by Light you understand, the Lord Jesus Christ who is said to be the Light that shineth in darkness, Joh. 1.5. And the true Lights which lighteth every man that cometh into the World, John 1.9. And the Light of the world, Joh. 8.12.12.46.

I Answer first, That the Scripture is a light, Psal. 119.105, 130. 2 Pet 1.19.

Secondly, It is a declaration of the light (that is) of Christ the true light, Isa, 9.6. Luk. 1.70. Rom. 1 3, 4. 2 Cor. 4.6. Gal. 4.4, 5. 1 Tim. 3.16.

2. Is the Scripture the Word, or a declaration of it?

I answer, If you understand by the word (Christ) the Word that was in the beginning with God, the Word that was with God, and the Word that was God, Joh. 1.1, 2. So the Scripture is onely a declaration of that word, that is, a Declaration of Christ.

3. What is the Gospel?

The Gospel hath various, significations or understandings in Scrip­ture, all pointing and referring unto Christ, who as he is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that beleeveth, so may he be said to be the very sum & substance of the Gospel, in that all the Types, and Shadows, and Sacrifices, all the Prophecies and Promises, both under the Law [Page 2]and the Gospel are all, and shall be fulfilled and consummated in him, Rom 10 4. 2 Cor. 1.10. But more particularly, it is (in my understanding) the glad tidings of salvation by Christ, Isa. 40.9.52 7.61.1. Luk. 2.10, 11. Rom. 10.15. called the Gospel of God, Rom. 1.1. The glorious Gospel of the blessed God, 1 Tim. 1.11. The Gospel of the grace of God, Act. 20.24. The Gospel of Christ, Ro. 1.16. The Gospel of the Kingdom, Mat. 4.23. The Gospel of peace, Eph. 6.15. The Gospel of our salvation Eph. 1.13. Or the power of God unto salvation, Rom. 1 16.

4. What is the first Principle of the pure Religion?

To give a cleer and full Answer to this Question, I would know what you understand by the first Principle of the pure Religion? If you mean the first Principles of the Oracles of God, spoken of in Heb 5.12. which afterwards in the first verse of the sixth Chapter are called the Principles of the doctrine of Christ, these first Principles are there particularly mentioned and expressed, namely, 1. Repentance from dead works; 2. Faith towards God; 3. The doctrine of Baptisms; 4. The doctrine of Laying on of hands, 5. The doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead; and, 6. The doctrine of Eternal Judgment. And if you would know what the pure Religion is, the Apostle James doth tell you, Jam. 1.27. Pure religion and undefiled be­fore God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their af­fliction, and to keep ones self unspoiled from the world.

5. May not a man have the Scripture, and yet be ignorant of the mystery of Christ, yea or nay?

I answer, yea; if you mean by having the Scripture, a mans having of it in his house, or in his pocket, or at best in his brain only, and not having it in the heart, as to the sanctifying and purifying thereof, Joh. 17.17. So a man may have the Scripture, and yet be ignorant of the mystery of Christ. The Sadduces had the Scriptures in the first sense; and yet our blessed Saviour said unto them, Ye do erre, not know­ing the Scriptures, nor the power of God, Mat. 22.29. Mar. 12.24 27. And it is given to you (saith he, speaking unto his Disciples) to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but unto thim (the multitude of un­believers) it is not given. And according to this understanding, I shall answer many of your following Quaeries.

6. May not a man have the Scripture, and not believe in the Light?

Yea.

7. May not a man have the Scripture, and not know the way to the Father?

Yea See Joh. 14 6.

8. May not a man (as the Pharisees had) have the Scripture, and not know the Word, and not know the Light?

Yea.

9. May not a man have the Scripture, and not know the Truth?

Yea.

10. May not a man have the Scripture, and not know the Life?

Yea.

11 Was not the Scripture given forth from the Spirit of God?

Yea, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. 3 16. And holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet 1.21.

12. And can any know the Scripture without the Spirit?

No, not effectually and savingly without the Spirit: It is the Spirit that searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2 10.

13. And hath not every man a manifestation of the Spirit given him to profit withall?

To this I answer, That every man that hath the Spirit of God, hath the manifestation of that Spirit; and the manifestation of the Spirit (that is, of the Spirit of God) is given to every man to profit withall, 1 Cor. 12.7. But every man hath not the Spirit of God or of Christ, Rom. 8 9. And where the Spirit of Christ is not given, there can be no manifestation of that Spirit. The fire is manifested by its heat, and the Sun by the light thereof.

14. Are not all in confusion, who are not led by the Spirit the Scriptures were given forth from?

Yea.

15. May not a man have the Scripture, and not know the Gospel which is the power of God?

Yea.

16. Doth not Christ enlighten every man that comes into the world with a true light?

Before I give an Answer unto this Question, I might ask you what you mean by a true light? If you mean the light of Nature, or the light of a natural Conscience, that may not altogether improperly (I suppose) be said to be a true Light; and with this every man is lighted by Christ that comes into the world, either more or less. For Paui speaking con­cerning the Gentiles, tells us, That the work of the Law was written in their hearts, their Conscience also hearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another, Rom. 2.15. which must be upon the account of doing well or ill: And surely every man hath natu­rally in himself an acquitting or condemning conscience, Joh 8.9. For what conscience is there so feared, that hath not at one time or other some convictions for sin? But yet the natural Light comparatively to the spiritual m [...]s Light, is but a dimn Light, and the natural Conscience at the best is a dark, impure, and defiled Conscience. The natural man re­ceives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2 14. And unto them that are undefiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled, Tit 1 15. So then there is another kind of Light, wherewith the spiritual man is inlightened by Christ, which is cleerly distinguished from the Light of Nature, or mans natural Light: Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of the light, Eph. 5.8. Who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2, 9. So, God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, [Page 4]hath shined into our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4.6. What a clear distinction is here betwixt the one and the other. Iohn saith also, That the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 1 Iohn 2.8. And speaking of him that hateth his Brother saith, that he is in darkeness and walketh in darke­ness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkeness hath blinded his eyes. And very remarkcable is that of our blessed Saviour who saith, If the light that is in thee, be darkeness, how great is that darkeness? Matt. 6.23.

So then, understanding by the true Light, the Light of the new Creature, or the spirituall mans Light, which gives unto us the know­ledge of God in the sace of Iesus Christ. Then I do affirme, That Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the world with this true Light. For such as have not the spirit of Christ (as all men have not, Rem. 8.9. Jud. 19.) Such have not the spirits Illumination, I mean as to a through conversion and change of the whole man: Paul bids the beleeving Hebrewes To call to remembrance the former daies, in which after they were illuminated, they endured a great fight of Affliction. Heb. 10.32. And to conclude with what David speaks in Psal. 18.28. Thou (faith he) meaning the Lord) wilt light my Candle, the Lord my God will lighten my darkeness. And in 36 Psal, verse 9. For with thee (saith he) is the fountain of Life; and in thy Light shall we see Light.

17. Shall he that beleeveth in the Light abide in darkeness? yea or nay?

I answer, Nay, supposing that by light, you understand the Lord Jesus Christ, then he that beleeveth in that Light abides not in Darke­ness: For this is the Lord Christs own Affirmation. Ioh. 12.46. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever beleeveth in me shall not abide in darkeness.

18. Is there any vnity but in the Light, or any friendship but in the Light?

I answer (if Christ be the Light you meane) there is no true unity or friendship but in him, if wee speake of a unity that is spirituall, divine and heavenly. For Faith doth unite, ingrast and as it were incorporate us into the Lord Iesus Christ, and brings us into a State of friendship and communion with him; But out of Christ the (Light) there is nothing but disvnion, strife, disagreement and confusion. The Carnall mind is Enmitie against God: For it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can bee. Rom. 8.7. What fellowship hath righteousness with unrigh­teousness, and what communion hath Light with Darkeness. 2 Cor. 6.14. Yet there may be a unity and league in sin, a covenant with Death, and an agreement with Hell, Esa. 28.18. Your covenant with Death shall be disanulled, and your agreement with Hell shal not stand

19. Is there any true beleife, but who do beleeve in the Light?

I answer, there is no true beleise, but as we beleeve in Christ who is the true Light. But it is possible for men to beleeve a Lye; For this [Page 5]cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve a Lye; 2 Thes. 2.11.

20. Are not all in the Error, who doe not beleeve in the Light, and not know the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Yea, the not beleeving in Christ the Light, and the ignorance of the Scriptures, and the power of God, is the ground of all Error. Christ hath told us that Hee is the way, the truth and the Life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by him, Ich. 14.6. And it was he that said unto the Sadduces, Ye dee-Erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Math 22. 29. Mark 12.29 To the Law, and to the Testimony (saith the wis­dome of God) if they speake not according to this word, it is because there is no Light in them. Esa 8.20.

21. Did God command that Infants should be sprinckled, and if he did, shew his command by plain Scripture.

I answer, I doe not find in Scripture that God did ever command that Infants should be sprinckled, nor do I find, that there is either a command or example in all the Scriptures for to justifie such a practise. How justly then may this Nation fall under that sharp reprehension of the Lord, VVho hath required this at your hands. Esa. 1.12. And in vaine they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Math. 15 9.

22. Shall not all them that be gathered together with the Scripture, though they be Elders, Members, or gathered people, and not gathered together with the Spirit of the Lord, be broken by the Spirit of God.

I answer, can any be gathered together with the Scripture (I meane the Scripture of Truth so called, Dan. 10, 21.) and not be gathered to­gether with the Spirit of the Lord? is there any such disproportion or disagreement betwixt the Scripture and the Spirit of the Lord as your Question seemes to imply? Or is there not a Sweet harmony and consent between them both, so that the gathering togeather with the one, cannot truly and properly exclude the other? When our blessed Saviour saieth VVhere two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Mat. 18.20. Are we to understand by the name of Christ there, such a gathering togeather by his Spirit, as that the Scripture the word of God is not to be understood also? Is it not the word of God which effectually worketh in them that beleeve. 1 Thes. 2.13. Is not the Scripture profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof for Correction, for Instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good workes. 2 Tim. 2 [...] 16.17? Is it not the power of God to salvation to every one that beleeveth. Rom. 1.16? And is it not able to build us up and to give us an inheritance among all them who are sanctisied, Acts 20.32. And shall we then imagine that such as are gathered together by the power of this word, shall be broken in sunder by the Spirit of God? Indeed there is an Association or a gathering together but not by the Lord, which shall assuredly be broken in peeces, Esa. 54.15. And as [Page 6]there are the Assemblyes of the Saints, who are of the true Circumcision which worship God in Spirit, and rejoyce in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Philip. 3.3. So there are many formall and false wor­shipers of God in the world, who gather together upon pretence of Scripture, and say perhapps they are Jewes, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan, as those in Rev. 2 9. who cry up themselves for good Christians, and yet are strangers to the Life of Christ having onely a forme of God­liness, but deny the power thereof. 2 Tim. 3.5. These also in time shall be broken in peeces; For every plant (saith Christ) which my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Matth 15.13. But the speech of Gamaliel (me thinkes) is very considerable herein (which I desire you will seriously mind, as to your own gatherings together.) If this Councell or this work (saith he) be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, yee cannot overthrow it. Acts. 5.38, 39 So say I, if such gatherings together be of men, that is, of meer humane authority, or mens Inven [...]ious and Imaginations, perverting the Scriptures (as some do) to their own destruction, assuredly then in a while they will vanish and come to nought. But if they be of God, I mean of divine Autho­rity, and according to the mind of God (as al such are who are congrega­ted and gathered together by the power of the Scripture, the word and spirit of God, then certainly they will not, they cannot be overthrown. Indeed the malice, and persecutions of men may breake them, or rather scatter them asunder for a while, but the living and eternall truth of God, which dwelleth and abideth in them, shall stand firme and invio­lable and that for ever and ever; Even your Wood, Hay and Stubble, and all such Combustible matter, which shall be found amongst you, (and which you have built or shall build (as you pretend) upon Christ that sure foundation, being revealed and tryed by fire, shall be burnt unto your loss, although your selves be saved, yet so as by fire. Let every man then take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 1 Cor. 3.10.11.12.13.14.15.

23. And whether every man that cometh into the world, hath not a light which will condemn him, if he doth not beleeve in it?

I Answer, That every man that commeth into the world hath a light, that is, a natural light, or a light that God hath placed in nature, being the work of the Law written in their hearts, by the help whereof men may come to the understanding of the invisible things of God, even his eternal power and Godhead, and the not living up to this light may leave men without excuse, Rom. 1.20. and thereby also they may come to be condemned in their own consciences, Rom. 2 15. But this light though it may discover much of God, yet it will never bring us to the true knowledge of God in Christ. And as it is no less then eternal life to know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, John 17.3. who is the true light in which we are commanded to beleeve, if wee will approve our selves the children of light, Joh. 1 9. Joh. 12.36. In which light also, if we do beleeve, we shall never perish but have everlasting life, Joh. 3.19.36. So the not beleeving in this light will assuredly be the great condemn­ing [Page 7]sin. He that beleeveth not is condemned already, Joh. 3.18. And he that beleeveth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him, Joh. 3.36. It follows then that mens condemnation (unless we un­derstand a being condemned, as before, in their own consciences) will not be so much for not beleeving in that light, which they bring with them into the world, but for their rejection of, and not beleeving in Christ who is the true light, Joh. 3.19. This is the condemnation, &c.

24. May not a man have the Scripture, and not see the door, as the Pha­risees had?

Yea.

25. May not a man have the Scripture, and not see the hope of Glory, which is Christ the mistery, as the Pharisees did, who had the Scripture that spoke of him that was to come?

Yea.

26. May not a man have the Scripture, and be a stranger to the life of God?

Yea.

27. May not a man have the Scripture, and not know the blood of Jesus, and have the Scripture, and not know the sanctification, and the redemp­tion, nor the justification?

Yea.

28. Are not these who be in the life of the Scripture, different from all the worlds fashions, worships and gatherings; and is not all worship in the will, without the Spirit of God?

Yea.

29. Is not all humility fained without the Spirit of God?

Yea.

30. And is not all righteousness selfish, while man lives according to the course of the world, and beleeveth not in the light that comes from Christ, Gods righteousness.

To this last Query, I shall give you this Answer, and shall refer you to my answer unto your Fifth Query as to the rest; I do not find, that any men or women in Scripture do fall under the denomination or ac­count of righteous persons in any sence whatsoever, so long as they live according to the course of the world, for they that live so they live in sin, and in all licentiousness and unrighteousness, In the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, according to the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience, as you may see in Ephes 2.1, 2, 3. And what selfish righteousness can there be in such? The Apostle John saith, That he that doth righteousness is righteous, even as Christ is righteous: But whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God, 1 Joh. 3.7, 10. But yet notwithstanding there may be much selfish righteousness even in such who live not according to the course of the world. This was the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, and this was Pauls righteousness, whiles he was a Pharisee, and when in his zeal he persecuted the Church; for he tells us, that touching the [Page 8]righteousness which is in the Law he was blameless, Phil. 3.5.6. And that it was a selfish righteousness, or a righteousness of his own, the ninth verse of that Chapter makes it very clear, when being convinced of his own filthy or dunghil righteousness, he desires onely to be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by saith. And how greatly does he find fault with his Brethren the Is­raelites (as he calls them) whose salvation he did so affectionately de­sire and pray for, for that, they had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge; And for that, they being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and go­ing about to establish their own righteousness, did not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God, Rem 10.1, 2, 3. And I wish from my foul, that you your selves (whatever your pretences are of love unto Christ) be­ing too much ignorant (I fear) of Gods righteousness, or the righte­ousness of the Lord Jesus Christ (whose name and whose memori­al for ever is, THE LORD OƲR RIGHTEOƲSNESS, Jerem. 23.6. and in whose righteousness, both you and I, and all others must be found cloathed and arrayed in, if ever we think to stand before him at the last day, Rev. 19.8.) That you (I say) do not go about to establish a selfish righteousness, or a righteousness of your own, in opposition to the righteous­ness of God. But know and consider well, That Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that beleeveth, Rom. 10 4. And as he was made of God unto us Wisdom and Righteousness, &c. 1 Cor. 1.30. So also was he made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Our righteousness is onely in Christ, and in beleeving in him; But does not your Question imply clearly that you go about to establish and set up another righteousness then the righteousness of Christ, even a righteousness of your own, when you say, Is not all righteousness selfish, while, &c. man beleeveth not in the light that comes from Christ Gods righteousness? What are we to be­leeve in the light that comes from Christ? and will such a faith entitle us unto a righteousness that is not selfish? Surely, if this be not an e­stablishing of our own righteousness, even that selfish righteousness which you seem to find fault with, I know not what is; are these wholesom words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine, which is according to godliness? 1 Tim. 6.3. Is this the faith of the Gospel which we are exhorted to strive together for? 1 Phil. 2.7. or is it the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints, which we are to con­tend earnestly for? Jud. 3. Surely, these are wholesome words, and the doctrine which is according to godliness, when we perswade men to beleeve in God, and to beleeve also in the Lord Jesus Christ, Joh. 14.1 To beleeve in the light (that is) in Christ the light, Joh. 12.35, 36. The light that came into the world, Vers. 46. The true light, Joh. 1.9. Yea the light of the world, Joh. 8.12. And in this faith a­lone are we to expect the imputation of righteousness, Rom. 4.22. And not in the beleeving in the light which comes from Christ, which [Page 9]whether it be this, or Christ, which you call Gods righteousness, I know not. But this know, that that which I am to beleeve in must be my righteousness, and my salvation, and this is not in the light that comes from Christ, but in Christ himself, The bright Morning Star, Rev. 22.16. The Day spring from on high, Luk. 1.78. The Sun of Righteousness, Mal. 4.2. The Fountain of Light, The foundation of my Reconciliation, Justification, Sanctification and Salvation, Act. 4.12.

For him hath God given not onely to be a Light unto the Gentiles, but also to be his Salvation to the end of the Earth, Isa. 49.6.